MUMBAI: The government’s unofficial crisis consultant will now help the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to tide over the crisis that has arisen due to spot fixing scandal. The BCCI has appointed Deepak Parekh as special advisor to interim president Sunil Gavaskar for the 2014 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Parekh, who was recommended for the job by Gavaskar himself, will be a special invitee to the Governing Council meetings of the IPL. He brings his vast expertise in financial affairs in order to enable Gavaskar to ensure smooth functioning of IPL affairs for the next two months.

“Parekh has always been willing to share his ideas and experience to formulate reform policies across sectors. This, at times, has also meant advising the government to take hard decisions,” the BCCI press release said.

“It is this quality of being a trouble-shooter that has made him a guiding force and an active member of various high-powered economic groups, government-appointed advisory committees and task forces,” it said.

Gavaskar, who became interim president following a direction from the Supreme Court, expressed his delight at the development as Parekh took up his offer.

“I am delighted that Deepak has accepted my invitation to come on board as a special advisor and special invitee to the Indian Premier League Governing Council. It is apt that an individual of the calibre of Mr. Parekh will be joining the BCCI-IPL’s leadership group. With a diverse combination of skills and experience, this appointment will result in a well-rounded senior management team at the IPL – one that will set the direction for a better and bigger league,” Gavaskar said.

“We are pleased to have Mr. Deepak Parekh in our team. His expertise will enable us to deliver a memorable IPL,” IPL chairman Ranjib Biswal.

Accepting his appointment, Parekh said, “I am excited to be invited to be a part of the IPL. I look forward to fulfilling this challenging new role on the IPL’s senior leadership team as an advisor to Mr. Gavaskar, as we look to strengthen the Indian Premier League.”